Is the credit only for Aer Lingus? Who are their partners. IOW, what are the choices?

I think it is only for Aer Lingus…but good question, I will check.

I would go to Venice first - maybe there will be fewer American tourists there now. Second choice would be Switzerland.

Ireland is not on my bucket list either, but then I don't remember where I put my list. I do remember that next on my list was Greece.

Ireland was one of my favorite trips. Loved going along the western coast, so beautiful and rugged. Dublin was fun, too.

Id love to go to the Scandinavian countries. .

I just cant stand the long, long flights to Japan, and other Asian countries or Id like to do that.

Aer Lingus codeshares with BA and AA. You’ll need to book through the Aer Lingus website.

I’ve never been to Scotland, but I’d love to go. I want to rent a narrow boat and go through the Falkirk Wheel.

@bbstx the Falkirk wheel is very cool. We did it a few years ago. My Dh and Ds tried to talk me out if it being a ”must” but we all enjoyed it very much and also visited the nearby Kelpies which are breathtaking.

I’m imagining (planning is no further along than the recesses of my mind) a trip that starts with a QM2 crossing for me and DD. Then DSIL and the kiddies fly to London to meet us. From there we go to Scotland, rent a narrow boat, and spend several days on the river including the Falkirk Wheel. The Kelpies will definitely be on the list - now that I’m aware of them. Thanks!

My bff and her DH go to ireland twice a year -- and have for many years. I think they are similar travelers to you -- they are love the outdoors, hike, photograph, prefer casual dining. I dunno, I guess they just have Ireland in their hearts.

My personal choice would be Norway and Sweden -- but I havent been. My family is from Malmo, Sweden.

I am sure you will have fun and a great experience wherever you go -- that's just who you are!

Loved, loved Ireland. Live music in every restaurant at dinner time. Great fun bars and I am not a drinker. We drove for 9 days around Ireland seeing all on our list and meeting such great people. We even took a private day tour by car through Dingle. Learned so much. We stayed in Airbnbs, Inns, and Bed & Breakfast places. Meet the locals was the best. I walked into a pub, there were three priests watching a rugby game and as soon as I entered, one of the turned around and said Marissa we have company! The welcomed us to the bar, taught us about the game, we ordered food and then locals started coming in. We got introduced to everyone. It was the best part of my trip 😁. I would go back in a heartbeat!

We also loved Ireland, especially the west and more NW and northern areas we visited. The scenery is just incredible. Very laid back and casual. Dublin was fun and interesting too.

I want to go wherever I just saw Rick Steves on tv. Last week he was in Ireland, ooh. But, I love love Switzerland and would go back any time. On the other hand, I haven’t been to the land of one of my great-grand parents, Norway. And then, my dearest aunt worked at the US Consulate in Venice as a young woman and loved it, so perhaps there. I’m no help at all!

I would go to Venice. But Im not superstitious at all.

I'm a rational minded scientific thinker. But given that you have already been to Venice, why take your chances on starting a trend of bad mishaps?

I've been to Switzerland twice. Have family there. I don't love it. Sure, it is beautiful, but the order and uptightness are no fun on a vacation.

I adore Ireland. I'm not a drinker or a music lover but there is so much more there to adore. The people are simply incredible. You don't know hospitality until you have traveled to Ireland. It is so green and gorgeous. The nature is incredible - the rocks, cliffs, old castles. We stayed at incredible inns - what I would call old mansions - with wonderful gardens, land, and animals. We also stayed in two defunct light houses. And we thought the food was surprisingly great. I'd go back in a heartbeat and certainly take it over Switzerland.

Assuming that your credit can be used on other airlines, my choices kinda by continent:

We loved our Scandy trip, esp. Amsterdam, Copenhagen,

Greece is not to be missed; and so many places to choose from

Istanbul for the exotic culture, architecture and food

Croatia, esp Dubrovnik but the whole coast

Morocco, for the exotic culture, architecture and food

India, one my faves for the people and architecture

Patagonia, breathtaking beauty

New Zealand, so much to see between the two islands.

Dedtired, you can always break up the flights by staying in another spot halfway or so. Like from the East Coast a day in LA, a few days in Hawaii, then on to Asia. Or spring for a flat bed/suite. The better ones you really can sleep on. Life's short!

Yes, when we went to Korea, we stopped in Hawaii for a week on the way back. A week in the city of Seoul followed by a week on Maui was pretty awesome.

You all are tempting me to go to Ireland.

Because it is close and "easy," I think Ireland would make a great family trip. Just sayin'

Yeah, we’re going to need some time to recover from the last one, LOL. Not gonna be an annual event. Maybe 2027.

OTOH, having recently recovered from an epic African trip, I am not eager to head to somewhere as far as New Zealand just yet.

Kendrah, we loooved Switzerland! I am dying to go back (esp without kids — no offense, kids).

The couple whose wedding we just attended went to Croatia on their honeymoon. That one is on my list.

Side note since we are talking travel — next winter, we have been talking about driving to FL (bc: dogs) and spending about 3 weeks. We would stay in the same town where our BFF couple has a house, which would be fun. The other option would be to fly somewhere (leave dogs at home) tropical and stay for 2 weeks or so. What tropical destination would have enough to do for that long? We like to lounge on a beach but after 2 days of that, we’re looking for something to do. Maybe a Hawaiian island? Costa Rica? (When I say tropical, I just mean summery weather in late Feb./early March.)

I spent half of my jr yr in college at Trinity College Dublin. I would go back in a heartbeat. Loved the people, the music (not the food) and the pace of the city. Greece is near the top of my list (inspired by the Durells in Corfu). But any restful beachy area sounds especially appealing to me.

Where in Florida? We just bought a condo in Longboat Key to be closer to dh's parents. Sarasota has a ton of culture and things to do other than just vegging on a deck chair.

DS had the same issue. She and her DH planned a trip back to their honeymoon spot in Burmuda. Covid. Tried again and there was a hurricane. They gave up😞

I’m a fan of Costa Rica and have been many times. Easy to tailor a trip around things you like to do. Weather is perfect. Go north if you want arid, south if you don’t make mind humid.

We love having our room right on a beach and we love our long sunrise and sunset walks on the beach, but we never set up camp for day on a beach.

I highly recommend Anywhere.com for tips and excursions but most of all transportation.( Flying or private van.)

We have never rented a car there for many reasons.

We leave for Scotland in July so that's the top of my focus. Can't wait to see the Royal Military Tattoo!

I would like to go back to Scandinavia. We could combine a steamer fijord voyage with a train trip for DH. I celebrated my 21st birthday in a small town in Sweden in the arctic circle and would love to go back to that area in the summer of 2026 when I turn 70. I appear to have reached the stage where I am literally revisiting my youth, trying to find where I left it😎

I think you found it on the golf course, @kswl!

Kswl, you’ve had ( and are still having ) an interesting life.

Agggh I just lost a long post and don’t have time to retype it but Jojo, we’d go to Dunedin. I am not worried about being bored there because we’d have friends to play with.

I don't think I've ever been bored on a trip! The Mr. and I love to seek out all. the. places. We have an upcoming trip at a lake resort, and we will be checking out the area (which is the reason for the antique shopping post). We can always find things to do, or not, if we want.

Sueb, for your Florida trip, have you considered going just a bit earlier (say early to mid Feb) and go to Key West for 4-5 days and then spend the remainder of your time elsewhere? It starts getting a little too hot later but you might find it ok in early March. There are some interesting things to see and do there plus plenty of time to unwind and enjoy the food.

Well, our main idea for FL was to stay near our friends. Dunedin, based on friend’s experience, isn’t terribly hot in mid March.

If we drive, going to Key West might be too far. That is 7+ hours beyond Dunedin. I only have DH about 70% on board to drive to Dunedin! We are in a situation where we don’t want to leave the dogs for a month but neither of us is super excited to make that drive.

I think we are going to use the airline credit for Norway, probably early June.

Bb, but: dogs. Looks like only service animals are invited.

Rats! I didn’t get that deep into the info

Sue,

Would one of you take Auto Train and the other fly from DC to Orlando or Sanford with the dogs? Might be more effort that it's worth, though.

It is not a good idea to fly with these smoosh-faced dogs (although I have seen a few in airports over the years).

Darling pooches!

I spend a couple years living in Switzerland so I would always go back in a heartbeat. There is a lot to explore in a relatively small country. I find order begets things like sane drivers and trains that precisely on time. I don't have an urge to go back to Ireland

I've sent quite a bunch of time also near the Scottish border and I love that areas as well. But in Norway, I've been fascinated by going to see the Fjords and taking the short cruise to Tromso.